RADIO
Ryan Kirksey ranks all 32 NFL teams after twelve weeks of the 2023 season based on how well they have played through their first twelve games.
As we head into the fourth month of the NFL season, we are starting to get a better sense of who these 32 teams are. Injuries, inefficiencies, and mega-popstar distractions have impacted NFL teams in different ways through the league's first twelve weeks. On the other hand, there have been some major positive surprises and stellar play from unexpected sources.
Teams like the New York Jets, the Minnesota Vikings, the Houston Texans, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have all moved drastically since our Preseason Power Rankings from early August. It's just further proof that the landscape of the NFL can change on a dime after any given Sunday.
So what do the NFL power rankings look like 12 weeks into the regular season? Here is our ranking of all 32 NFL teams.
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Super Bowl In Their Sights
1. Philadelphia Eagles (10-1)
The win against Buffalo is one of those moments you look back on after a Super Bowl and say, "Yep, that's the moment we knew." There were so many hurdles and challenges in that game that would have diminished lesser teams. But the Eagles prevailed. That's the makeup of a Super Bowl team.
2. Baltimore Ravens (9-3)
Imagine being a Los Angeles Chargers fan and watching Zay Flowers, taken right after Quentin Johnston, simply dominate as a rookie. Just 12 games into his NFL career, Flowers is already the 12th-best wide receiver in win rate against man coverage. Because teams usually "spy" on Lamar Jackson, this opens up a lot of field for Flowers after the catch.
3. San Francisco 49ers (8-3)
The Eagles-49ers NFC Championship game is going to be wild.
Points scored this season
Eagles: 310
49ers: 310Points allowed this season
Eagles: 246
49ers: 170— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) November 30, 2023
4. Kansas City Chiefs (8-3)
Rashee Rice is emerging as a valuable wide receiver weapon for Patrick Mahomes just as the defense moves into elite territory. The Chiefs' defense has allowed the fewest yards per play in the NFL since Week 8. That defense plus Mahomes/Kelce/Pacheco/Rice can absolutely win a Super Bowl.
5. Dallas Cowboys (8-3)
The true test for the Cowboys starts this week against the Seahawks. The Cowboys are 8-1 against teams not currently in a playoff spot and 0-2 against playoff teams and have been outscored in those two games by more than 35 points.
6. Miami Dolphins (8-3)
I watch way too much television, but the coverage of Jaelen Phillips' torn Achilles on Hard Knocks: In Season on Tuesday night was one of the more emotional moments on any show throughout the entire year. The dude was balling and didn't deserve such a bad break.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3)
The win in Houston in Week 12 was just as good as the loss against them in Week 3 was terrible. With a two-game lead plus the tie-breaker for the division, the Jaguars can now focus on trying to get a top-two seed over the last six weeks of the season.
8. Detroit Lions (8-3)
I got bad news Lions fans. There are a lot bigger and faster guys than Mark Brunell trying to get those strip sacks on Jared Goff. Bad Goff is going to equal no division win if they are not careful.
Did you expect to see Jared Goff stiff-arming Mark Brunell at practice today? 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/LKrgm6pLTA
— Jeanna Trotman (@JeannaTrotmanTV) November 30, 2023
Surprise Teams Currently In Playoff Hunt
9. Cleveland Browns (7-4)
Two notes from Pro Football Focus on the Cleveland defense this week. They have allowed 141 first downs, and the season average is 215. They have also allowed just 1,665 passing yards through their first eleven weeks. Both are the lowest figures since PFF began tracking the data. If this team is going anywhere in the playoffs, defense will be the reason.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4)
We know the Steelers also have a strong defense and now Kenny Pickett threw for more than 400 yards for the first time in his career under new offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner.
11. Denver Broncos (6-5)
The winner of this Denver-Houston matchup in Week 13 will have a massive advantage in terms of playoff spot and seeding. Can Denver win six in a row?
The Broncos have a 64% chance of making the playoffs with a win and just a 21% chance with a loss
Playoff implications going into Week 13 ⬇️https://t.co/AHGR6zc2ic
— PFF (@PFF) November 29, 2023
12. Houston Texans (6-5)
If C.J. Stroud can make the playoffs in his rookie season, he will look to become just the eighth rookie starter ever to win a playoff game. He would join Shaun King (1999), Ben Roethlisberger (2004), Joe Flacco (2008), Mark Sanchez (2009), T.J. Yates (2011), and Russell Wilson (2012).
Still Planning on Being In the Playoffs
13. Buffalo Bills (6-6)
A gut punch from Philadelphia, a 6-6 record, and now Von Miller? Yikes.
Buffalo Bills fans after the news about Von Miller this morning:
— Big E (@ian693) November 30, 2023
14. Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
Among all quarterbacks in the NFL, Geno Smith is 32nd in red zone accuracy rating and has generally been erratic all over the field. That's how you get D.K. Metcalf with 161 air yards and 32 receiving yards in Week 12. Their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread.
15. Cincinnati Bengals (5-6)
Jake Browning is clearly no Joe Burrow, but the Bengals aren't just going to roll over at 5-6. The problem is four of their remaining six games are against Jacksonville, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland.
Keep Your January Open Just In Case
16. Minnesota Vikings (6-6)
Despite the amazing story Joshua Dobbs gave us this year, don't be surprised if Minnesota makes a quarterback change to Nick Mullens heading into Week 14 after their bye week. With Justin Jefferson set to return as well, this team could steal sneak into the postseason.
17. Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
To be fair, the Colts have played Carolina, New England, and Tampa Bay in that span (plus a bye week).
Are the Colts playoff bound?🧐 pic.twitter.com/tImLztsTBh
— NFL GameDay (@NFLGameDay) November 30, 2023
18. Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
Kyren Williams. Matthew Stafford. Cooper Kupp. Puka Nacua. Aaron Donald. This team has a core that can still make the postseason.
19. Atlanta Falcons (5-6)
A 5-6 division leader through 12 weeks. There are a whole bunch of unserious teams in the NFC South.
20. Green Bay Packers (5-6)
Jordan Love is now seventh in the NFL in touchdown passes and 15th in expected points added. His emergence has this young team on the verge of the seventh seed in the NFC.
21. New Orleans Saints (5-6)
Uh oh.
Looks like former #Saints Kicker Wil Lutz agrees with many in Who Dat Nation who believe Dennis Allen is a bad head coach and should be fired.
Also, shoutout @RosvoglouReport pic.twitter.com/pgFwcCGbby
— RevDeuce (@RevDeuceWindham) November 30, 2023
We Thought It Would Work, But It Didn't
22. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7)
Raiders defense check-in. Maxx Crosby's knee was so hurt that he had to go to the hospital before the Chiefs' game. The team then released cornerback Marcus Peters on Monday. And then this happened.
Las Vegas Metro police just released this booking photo of now-former Las Vegas Raider Roderic Teamer who police arrested over the weekend on suspicion of driving impaired. https://t.co/Iq8hqCAm2O pic.twitter.com/vormegMDUw
— David Charns (@davidcharns) November 29, 2023
23. Los Angeles Chargers (4-7)
Is it possible this team is just cursed or something? Like the city of Los Angeles hexed them and they will just never be good despite all their talent. Here is a good breakdown of their various bumbled moves over the past two years.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)
I think I've identified the problem.
the Buccaneers let MrBeast lead them out the tunnel in an actual game 😭 pic.twitter.com/0nDa10hRnC
— ryan 🤿 (@scubaryan_) November 25, 2023
25. Tennessee Titans (4-7)
Will Levis has turned back into a pumpkin so the Titans have been turning back to the run game to try and get back to their bread and butter. The problem is that a team with Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears at running back is averaging 3.6 yards per attempt (30th in the NFL) over the last three weeks.
26. New York Jets (4-7)
You gotta give yourself some credit every once in a while.
already mentally preparing myself for Aaron Rodgers to come back on the Christmas Eve game against Washington and all the "Christmas came a day early for the Jets!" jokes we will get
— Ryan Kirksey sports and screens (@CableBoxScore) November 17, 2023
Suite In Cozumel Already Booked for January
27. Washington Commanders (4-8)
Never change, Washington fans.
The Redskins version is greatly outselling the Commanders on Amazon. Welcomed Christmas present either way. pic.twitter.com/01MenNPnl0
— Rick Snider's Washington (@Snide_Remarks) November 30, 2023
28. Chicago Bears (4-8)
It was the Minnesota Vikings, Luke Getsy, not the 2000 Ravens.
Justin Fields' passer rating
Play action: 111.8
No play action: 86.8
Screen: 73.3
No screen: 95.9Getsy: "Let's call a screen"
— Joey Ricotta (@JoeyKnowsNothin) November 30, 2023
29. New York Giants (4-8)
The Giants have won back-to-back Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week awards (Tommy Devito and Jalin Hyatt). There's some joke in here about Pepsi being clearly inferior to other sodas and what's the point if it has no sugar, but I can't quite find it.
We Fall Asleep To Tape Of Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr.
30. Arizona Cardinals (2-10)
The Cardinals gave it the old college try after Kyler Murray came back, but they have lost both games. Now it's time for them to evaluate whether he is the guy they want behind center for another 6-8 years or not. Fortunately, if the Bears decide to go all-in with Justin Fields, they can stick with the third draft spot and get Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.
31. New England Patriots (2-9)
It's Zappening! And by "it" I mean the Patriots and Bill Belichick are finally giving up on Mac Jones. We will always have Jones' 2021 Pro Bowl year when he made it as an injury replacement.
32. Carolina Panthers (1-10)
David Tepper, ladies and gentlemen:
David Tepper is quickly becoming one of the worst owners in sports.
He spent over $2.5 billion on the Carolina Panthers (NFL) and Charlotte FC (MLS) but has gone through 5 coaches in 4 years, including 4 in the last 18 months.
The Panthers (1-10) also don't have a first-round… pic.twitter.com/J50emY6Vhl
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) November 27, 2023
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